From George Washington to Nathaniel Heard, 9 June 1780

H qrs June 9. 1780

Sir

If the Enemy mean to make a movement into the Country to Morris Town— it is likely they will attempt it to
night—and if they do, they may endeavour to proceed by a Road either more to our right or left, than any one on which we
have Troops. From this consideration and the importance of having every avenue guarded by which they may attempt to gain
our Rear, I shall be exceedingly glad—if you can procure & send Three or Four very trusty Horsemen on whom you can
depend—on each of the Roads under the above description to patrol the night & who will give the earliest communication
of the advance of the Enemy. The Road which leads thro. the Mountain by the way of the Scoti plains. I wish to be
particularly attended to. Should you not be perfectly informed of the Roads on which we have Troops—Baron Steuben will
inform you.

You will be pleased to let me know the reason for firing a Cannon just now. I am Sir .

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“From George Washington to Nathaniel Heard, 9 June 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified June 29, 2017, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/99-01-02-02037. [This is an
Early Access document
from The Papers of George Washington.
It is not an authoritative final version.]

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